Summer Can Be Quite Cruel: How to Make Sure That It’s Sweet

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For many people, summertime is the best time of the year. But it’s also a season fraught with many dangers that you’ll want to avoid.

Summer is right around the corner. It’s a time when families have a
new routine. With kids out of school and long days spent outdoors, it’s
an exciting time for everyone. But summertime isn't all fun and games.
Warm-weather hazards can put you and your family in harm’s way.

On the Road Again

With
school out for summer, many teens will be spending more time on the
road—and they’re more likely to travel longer distances with passengers
in their cars.

John Ulczycki, vice president of the National Safety Council
(NSC), told Healthline that nearly 1,000 people were killed in crashes
involving teen drivers in 2012. In fact, summertime is such a dangerous
season for teen drivers that NSC calls it the “100 deadliest days.”

“There's
really no other period of time where you have fatalities at that
level,” Ulczycki said. Don’t let your kids become a statistic. Talk with
your teen about what it means to be a safe driver.

The Temperature’s Rising

Your
body produces perspiration to help cool you down, but if it’s really
hot outside, perspiration may not do the job. As temperatures increase,
make sure to drink plenty of water, and limit your time outside to
prevent heat stress or heat stroke.

Heat can be dangerous,
especially for the elderly. It’s important to check on the senior
members of your family, as well as neighbors, to make sure they’re
staying cool and are well hydrated.

Children are also prone to
heat-related injuries. Leaving a child in a car, even for a minute, can
be a serious health hazard. “I think parents underestimate the heat that
can be generated in a car in a very short period of time,” said
Ulczycki. “Two minutes in a hot, closed car can be really hazardous, if
not fatal, for a small child.”

Helmets Save Lives

Before
you let your children out the door, make sure they’re taking the proper
precautions. Whether it’s on a bike, a skateboard, or a scooter, both
Ulczycki and Peccoralo are adamant about kids wearing helmets.

Hitting
one's head from a fall could result in a traumatic brain injury. Make
sure your child wears a helmet, and set a good example by wearing one
yourself.

“Kids are going to get injured doing kid things, running
around and falling down,” said Ulczycki, adding, “[but] falling off a
bike without a helmet on and hitting your head could be a life-changing
event. Head injuries are a really serious issue.”

Don’t Swim Alone

Children
should be monitored at all times when they’re around water. Even adults
who consider themselves good swimmers should always bring a buddy to
the pool.

According to the CDC, between 2005 and 2009, there were more than 3,500 drownings, which translates to about 10 deaths per day.

“Always
swim in an area where there’s a lifeguard present,” advised Peccoralo.
“Even adults shouldn't swim alone. Let’s say you hit your head by
accident. You’re alone—no one can help you.”